“New York has the chance to build the most inclusive cannabis industry in the country—an industry where small businesses thrive alongside larger players, where local communities benefit directly, and where…
While the state has celebrated the growth of its newest legal economy, many feel left out—no one more so than non-citizen immigrants. This story comes to us from Feet in 2 Worlds,…
“Licensed sellers simply cannot compete with unregulated—presumably less expensive—cannabis retailers, and our communities cannot miss out on much-needed revenues intended to fund substance use education, prevention, and treatment initiatives.”
“For these licenses to serve their purpose, individuals who were targeted for arrest and prosecution must be first in line and have access to non-predatory resources and legal support to…
‘In other states that have established a legal marijuana market, large corporations with significant capital make up the bulk of the market share while BIPOC communities have seen little, if…
‘Across the state, 1 in 7 people – 2.3 million New Yorkers – have criminal records. They are denied jobs, housing, education, life insurance, loans, child custody, licensure and more.…
‘Removing another reason for law enforcement to subject law-abiding citizens to a search and seizure is an important step to realizing that marijuana justice.’
“While Cuomo’s plan acknowledges the social equity imperative of legalization, it allocates only $100 million in tax grants to communities most harmed. That’s a step – but it’s not enough.”